|
|
Played
September 11, 2012 10:15 PM EAT
Estádio AXA — Braga
Referee: S. Marciniak
Attendance: 29971
September 11, 2012 10:15 PM EAT
Estádio AXA — Braga
Referee: S. Marciniak
Attendance: 29971
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Portugal | 1.02 | 1.01 | 1.02 | 1.00 | 1.02 | 1.27 | 1.03 | 1.02 |
| Draw | 9.00 | 23.00 | 15.00 | 34.00 | 16.00 | 4.00 | 13.00 | 14.05 |
| Azerbaijan | 29.00 | 71.00 | 26.00 | 501.00 | 51.00 | 25.00 | 28.00 | 35.40 |
Top of the Match
To Be Announced Shortly
Cristiano Ronaldo
Portugal
Portugal
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Portugal 3-0 Azerbaijan: Second-half goals earn three points for Ronaldo and Co.
Paulo Bento's men record second win of qualifying campaign in comfortable fashion, with all three strikes coming in the second period
By Martin Macdonald
Getty Images
Portugal rallied in the second period and put in a commanding performance as Paulo Bento’s men defeated Azerbaijan 3-0 in their World Cup 2014 qualifier at Estadia AXA on Tuesday evening.
The home side sprayed the Azerbaijan goal with an astounding 33 shots on goal in the match, but the visitors somehow managed to withstand the barrage in the first half. However, Portugal found the net three times in the second half with goals from Silvestre Varela, Helder Postiga, and Bruno Alves.
The hosts had a number of early shots on goal, but Kamran Arhayev in the Azerbaijan goal and his defenders bravely blocked and defended for the majority of the first half. Cristiano Ronaldo looked destined to open the scoring the 15th minute when he received the ball just six yards out inside the area, but Rahid Amirguliev was there to make a terrific block and turn the ball out for a corner.
Joao Moutinho and Raul Mereiles both attempted long-range shots from just outside the area around the 20th minute mark but both saw their efforts clear the Azerbaijan crossbar.
Portugal should have taken the lead one minute into first-half injury-time when he found space six yards out and struck at goal, only to see his attempt agonisingly clip the post.
The second half started in the same vein, and an array of Portugal efforts eventually lead to the opening goal.
In the 63rd minute, Varela got himself into an excellent position on the right-hand side of the six-yard box and drilled a shot past Arhayev at his near post.
The next 20 minutes passed with total domination from the home side. Portugal doubled their lead in the 83rd minute when Postiga drifted into the centre of the box and slotted a shot into the right corner from on the penalty spot.
It took just three minutes for Paulo Bento’s side to seal the points with a third goal. Moutinho whipped in an outswinging corner kick and Alves was there at the back post to bullet a header past Arhayev.
Portugal now find themselves healthily placed joint-top of Group F alongside Russia with maximum points taken from their opening two matches. Azerbaijan are fifth after tonight’s result and have accumulated one point so far, thanks to a draw against Israel on Saturday.
| Sign up today with Ladbrokes and get a $20 welcome bonus! |
|
Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Times In EAT
Live
Final
scheduled
Suspended
Cancelled
Postponed
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Edin Dzeko Striker Manchester City |
7 | 0 |
|
Tomer Hemed Striker Mallorca |
6 | 0 |
|
Mesut Özil Midfielder Real Madrid CF |
5 | 2 |
|
Wayne Rooney Striker Man. United |
5 | 1 |
|
Robin van Persie Striker Man. United |
5 | 1 |